015 | Allison Brennan & Jessica Tree, The Social Type on their inspiration for creating new products, how they split responsibilities as business partners and the importance of slow, but steady growth in their business.

TSBC Alums, Allison Brennan & Jessica Tree are the owners of The Social Type. They launched their foil-pressed greeting card line in 2010 and have since expanded into other gift categories including their very popular matchboxes. On this episode, Jess and Allison talk about their inspiration for creating new products, how they split responsibilities as business partners and we talk about the importance of slow, but steady growth in business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

• Life before The Social Type and how they decided to create the business.
• How they balance responsibilities as business partners.
• How she helps product makers manufacture overseas.
• How they strive to differentiate themselves in the market.
• Overcoming issues with their match boxes.
• Deciding how much product to order & discontinuing products.
• Opening their retail storefront
• Their advice for other entrepreneurs

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"We're constantly searching for something that's unique and different to set us apart from everybody else." - Jessica Tree

"We're always working on quality and making our products better and better" - Jessica Tree

"Initially we tend to order a bit lower to see how a product does and then when we know they sell really well, our quantities get larger" - Jessica Tree

"We've learned our lesson, too. Not every product sells." - Allison Brennan

"Our brand has grown and we've developed an aesthetic. Some of thes tuff we designed five years ago doesn't fit anymore" - Jessica Tree

"Literally, just go for it. Start." - Jessica Tree [on offering advice to entrepreneurs]

"You don't have to kill yourself but at the same time if you want to get from point A to B it requires hard work and some late nights." - Allison Brennan

MEET ALLISON & JESSICA:

The Social Type was founded by paper and design enthusiasts Allison Brennan & Jessica Tree. They first launched their own line of foil pressed greeting cards in 2010, and have since expanded into other paper goods and their popular matchboxes. The Social Type is sold at stores & boutiques globally.

CONNECT WITH ALLISON & JESSICA:

Website: https://thesocialtype.com/

Facebook: @thesocialtype

Instagram: @thesocialtype

Pinterest: @thesocialtype

Twitter: @thesocialtype

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Interested in learning more about launching or refining a wholesale line or exhibiting at trade shows? Join us for our next Paper Camp conference in Los Angeles. Get more details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Proof to Product is brought to you by Tradeshow Bootcamp and hosted by Katie Hunt. Since 2011, TSBC has worked with hundreds of product based businesses to help them up level, scale, and build profitable sustainable companies. You can find our show notes and additional resources at ProofToProduct.com. If you like what you heard today, please head over to Apple Podcast to leave a five star review and subscribe. Thanks so much for listening. We'll be back next week with a new episode.